BMW R1300RT test ride and review

[Steve398]

You will find that it will be to do with insurance and not the dealers

Some won't allow 25 and under and under 1 year licence holders! Some don't allow pillions either

The insurance cut-off line is 75 for Bahnstormer’s, I appreciate they have to draw a line somewhere but I hadn’t actually achieved that venerable age at that time.

[Panman40]

The insurance cut-off line is 75 for Bahnstormer’s, I appreciate they have to draw a line somewhere but I hadn’t actually achieved that venerable age at that time.

There could be other more obvious checks they could do on a person by person basis.

[Steve398]

There could be other more obvious checks they could do on a person by person basis.

I’d stand no chance then!

[Doctor T]

My Mum, at 83, has trouble getting insurance for a 12-year-old Focus estate. She has never had any points or been involved in an accident; she has had a full licence for over 60 years and never exceeds 30 mph or 3rd gear. Her last quote was over £700. The car is only worth about £250. To get it down, she has to put me and the down as main drivers.

[MikeS]

Took the RT into Cotwold BMW for its 48k service today. R1300RT in the showroom with all the bits from the catalogue.

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Nice but not that nice.

[Sullivj]

Crazy price. You can buy a nice Range Rover for that!!

[Stu]

Crazy price. You can buy a nice Range Rover for that!!

But where's the fun in that

I suspect for a decent spec without the 719
Package you're probably talking about 22 to 23k

[Sullivj]

I think I'll stick with my 2012 RT. En Route to the Annual meeting, she ticked over 20,000 miles. There's plenty of life in the old girl yet!

[burridge01]

Crazy price. You can buy a nice Range Rover for that!!

I said the same when nosing at the GS1300.The salesman said they are shifting them on this pcp(?)thing.Give it 6-12 months and virtually new bikes will be a hell of a lot cheaper as there traded in.Can't see many people buying one outright for that price when they can get a rolling contract to renew when they want.

[DaveCly]

I said the same when nosing at the GS1300.The salesman said they are shifting them on this pcp(?)thing.Give it 6-12 months and virtually new bikes will be a hell of a lot cheaper as there traded in.Can't see many people buying one outright for that price when they can get a rolling contract to renew when they want.

I suspect most bikes and cars are bought this way these days

[Glenn]

[jesim1]

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since it was launched, and I've seen a few video, lots of pictures, and made my mind up - and I won't be buying one

They have made too few - dare I say "improvements" - and left a load of the stuff which needed sorted out, they just did not listen to the riders, they listened to the accountants, and that just crap

My worst gripe in the poor sat nav set up - so many people are getting after market version on a tourer with functionality so bad they literally pay not to use it and there are so many other bit they could have altered to make it a better bike - but didn't - why did they increase power and torque only to push it further up the rev range Why no back lit switches on a touring bike Why no 12v socket you can actually run a compressor off of

Sorry BMW - I'll be keeping my current bike as it's a better proposition than the new one

[TheWeeDonkey]

Had a good look at the 1300rt at Sycamore Peterborough yesterday. Booked in for a test ride next week - conventional 'box, not the auto.

Firstly, to my eyes it looks better in real life than in photos. It also looks less bulky than the 1250. One odd thing though: the demo bike has a standard height seat and there is a showroom bike with a lowered seat. The difference to me at 5' 7" was quite striking. Tippy toes on the normal seat but flat feet on the lowered.

It seems harder to get off the side stand than the 1250 although they are the same weight. However the stand is easier to find from the saddle.

The pillion provision is different in appearance but every bit as comfortable (she tells me) and a little easier to get on and off. I won't be taking a passenger on the test ride - because of the seat height.

Oh, the new wind deflectors feel really cheap and tacky for a £250 option. And I couldn't really feel a difference in the riding position. I'm told it's a bit more sporty but the difference seems minimal. Will know more after the ride.

I've specced one up at 24k. That's too much. If I'm impressed after the ride and they offer me too much money for mine I could be tempted. Likely I'll wait a year or two and let another first owner take the hit on depreciation.

[Doctor T]

Why more sporty, it's a tourer, not an RS. In the long run, I like to be in an upright position, not crammed over.
Saw 2 R1300GS this morning. From the front, they looked OK with the star-burst headlamp. But from the side, it looks like someone had bolted a briefcase on each side of the tanks. As they rode past, the engines sounded really tappy.

[TheWeeDonkey]

Had the test ride on the R1300RT this morning. Very relaxed about the whole thing, they were, just bring it back with some petrol in it!

First impressions (straight off the 1250):

It looks smaller from the rider's seat. It also feels smaller and lighter, which it isn't. It's all about perspective I suppose. The standard height seat felt about the same as my 1250 low seat. Riding position a little different but I didn't feel cranked forward. If there is a difference, it's minimal tbh. Surprisingly, slow speed manoeuvres, traffic lights etc felt a little more balanced. No idea why.

The engine seems smoother, the gearbox certainly is. OK so it's not as slick as a big Honda or Suzuki would be but it's certainly slick for a big boxer twin. Quickshifter still too clunky on the upshifts, I used the clutch for a smoother ride. OK on downshifts but I like to ease down rather than turn the tap off so, for me, the Qshift is irrelevant.

Rides very well but with a sensation of lightness at the front. There's even a feeling of the front wanting to tuck-in on turns which is less noticeable at higher speeds. It's fine, it's not a problem but it is a difference. The dynamic setting tightens things up. I prefer the road setting.

Brakes are astonishing. It'll stand on its nose with just the rear brake pedal operated. Front and rear together? Like hitting a brick wall. But not at all snatchy and plenty of feel.

The wind deflector things actually work. Call me cynical but I thought they were a bit gimmicky. It was 26 degrees today and setting the deflectors to direct the air to the rider made a big difference. The mechanism feels a bit second-rate though.

I liked it. On balance it is an improvement over the 1250 in almost all areas.

So £9k for mine, 24k for the 1300 specced as I'd like it and another 1k for the service plan. Insurance 800pa rather than the 150 I currently pay.

So do I think it's worth 16k now and an extra 500pa to change? No, I don't. I'd go as far as to say that I'd rather get a year old 1250 for 6k less and be done with it. The maths just doesn't work for me.

Yet if I were shopping for a new bike I think I'd consider the 1300. And I certainly wouldn't talk anyone out of buying one. It's an excellent machine.

Evolution not revolution.